Electromagnetically operated switches having improved contact actuating means



May 9, 1967 F. BAUER 3, 9

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED SWITCHES HAVING IMPROVED CONTACT ACTUATING MEANS Filed Feb. 18, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

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3,319,199 OPERATED SWITCHES HAVING May 9, 1967 F. BAUER ELECTROMAGNETICALLY IMPROVED CONTACT ACTUATING MEANS T 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 18, 1965 ETTTTT INVENTOR. FIeMl 'BmLc-R KWOP (4 May 9, 1967 F. BAUER 3,31

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED SWITCHES HAVING IMPROVED CONTACT ACTUATING MEANS Filed Feb. 18, 1965 v a Sheets-Sheet s- II I117 II II INVENTOR. FRAN l 1514 U. (g V Kw mm by modern mass United States Patent Gflice 3,319,199 Patented May 9, 1967 ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED SWITCHES HAVING IMPROVED CONTACT ACTUATING MEANS Franz Bauer, Vienna, Austria, assignor t Hubert Laurenz Naimer, Vienna, Austria Filed Feb. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 433,602 Claims priority, application Austria, Mar. 13, 1964, A 2,222/64 8 Claims. (Cl. 335-128) This invention relates to electrical relay switches, i.e. remotely controllable switch devices comprising one or more switches adapted to be actuated by a remotely controlled electromagnet. With this switch device there may be combined auxiliary switches that serve auxiliary circuits, for example for signalling the actual operating state of the relay back to a control position, or for controlling other secondary circuits.

Widely differing constructional forms of relays of this type are required, according to the required number of individual switches to be controlled by the relay, and their capacity, and according to Whether any auxiliary switches are provided. There is a requirement for the ability to put together from as few constructional units as possible a large number of relays corresponding to widely different switching problems, and a way of meeting this requirement is to build the units in the form of boxes which can be combined with one another.

The present invention is likewise concerned with this problem, and especially with the problem of providing a mode of constructing relays whereby it is possible, in a particularly simple manner, to combine one or more switches, which may be of different capacities or other characteristics, using only the same basic part which also contains the actuating magnet and its armature, it also being possible to provide auxiliary switches of various types. A further object of the invention is to provide a mode of construction capable of being carried into effect production methods, and in particular making the widest possible use of thermoplastic synthetic substances.

An embodiment of a relay switch according to the invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in cross section through a relay consisting of individual switches actuating magnet and housing with swing, taken parallel to the direction of insertion of the individual switches,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the relay, partly in elevation and partly in section on the line IIII of FIG. 1, which is a section on the line I-I of FIG. 2. The individual switches are not illustrated in the half of FIG. 2 shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a cross section similar to FIG. 1 with the individual switches wholly removed and with the swing, shown in section, containing the magnet armature, FIG. 3 being a section on the line IIL-III of FIG. 4 or the line 11-11 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a part sectional view on the line IV-IV of FIG. 3 and partly a plan view of a lower part of the housing,

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the box part accommodating the magnet windings, on the line VV of FIG. 6,

FIG. 6 is an under plan vew of FIG. 5,

FIGS. 7 and 8 show details of the frame-like transmission member, FIG. 8 being a section on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a section similar to FIG. 5 but on the line IXIX of FIG. 10, hence showing parts of the actuating magnet and its armature, and

FIG. 10 is an under plan similar to FIG. 6, but with the pivotally mounted swing accommodating the armature.

In all the figures the same parts have been given the same reference numeral.

The relay illustrated in the drawings includes, with the exception of the current conducting elements, the iron core of the actuating magnet and its armature and some return springs, exclusively of thermo-plastic synthetic material, preferably material of super polyamide type. The components consisting of synthetic material are releasably connected by locking members (not shown) such as bayonet joints, tongue and groove connections with locking elements or the like, the components of which are likewise made from synthetic material. These connecting means are of such nature that undesired release cannot take place. Connecting means of this type are known per se and will not be described hereinafter.

The individual switches of different width illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 consist of a housing part 1 with terminal contacts 2 secured therein, these carrying switch contacts 3 on the one hand and terminals 4 on the other hand and being secured in the part 1 in any suitable manner, this not being a part of the invention. A switch bridge 5 is guided over a guide 6 in a guide groove 4. The bridge 5 is connected to the guide 6 by springs 7. The guide 6 is accessible from above and below via openings 8 in the housing 1. As can be seen from FIG. 2, a plurality of such switches which may be of different width according to their capacities, may be arranged against one another. These switches are secured by means of hook-like feet 9 in corresponding recesses 10 in the housing of the relay. The construction of the individual switches is however not a part of the invention.

The housing of the relay is formed by a lower part 12 which is substantially of U-shape and a box 13 seated thereon, in which the actuating magnet with winding 15 is accommodated and On which an auxiliary switch unit 16 may be mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, the U-shaped lower part 12 and the box 13 together form a housing which is open on at least one side. In the construction illustrated this housing is open at both sides, thus forming a kind of gate in which the individual switches are inserted and fixed. In the lower part 12 of this housing, more precisely in a groove 18 which is formed in the side walls and the base of the lower part 12, the U-shaped transmission member 29 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is movable in the vertical direction.

The magnet armature 21 is secured on a swing 22 which can turn about a pin 23 and which is continued downwardly as a transmission lever 24, see in particular FIGS. 1 and 3. At the lower side of the box 13 which contains the magnet the lever 24 is formed as a plate the outer corners of which are provided with coupling profiles 25 which engage suitably in corresponding coupling profiles 26 formed at the upper ends of the transmission member 20- (FIG. 3).

In the coupled condition the plate portion of the lever 24 and the transmission member 20 thus form a frame. As shown in FIG. 1, this frame engages the switch guides 6 at the top via the said plate and at the bottom via the transverse member 27. The switch guides are accordingly positively coupled to the magnet armature 21 via the said plate and the transmission member 20. In the embodiment illustrated the arrangement is such that with the magnet winding 15 deenergised the swing 22 is swung into the position shown in FIG. 1 under the influence of springs 30 and guides 31, see FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. In this position the transmission frame 20, 27 takes up its upper end position; hence the switch bridges 5 are lifted by the guides 6, and the conductors in which the individual switches 1 are included are interrupted. When the magnet 14, 15 is energised the swing 22, 24 moves rapidly in counter clockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, towards the laminated magnet core 14, overcoming the springs 30; the frame-like transmission member 20, 27 moves downwardly under the influence of the plate 25, FIG. 3, which also acts from above on the switch guides 6, these closing the current paths via the bridges 5. The switches are so designed that in the closed condition the springs 7 are stressed so as to ensure satisfactory contact pressure in the individual switches.

An auxiliary switch assembly 16 is mounted like a lid on the box 13. The auxiliary switches located therein are actuated through the medium of projections 40 on the swing 22 and pins 41. The box 13 that accommodates the magnet winding 15, the swing 22 and armature 21, return springs 30 and pins 31 together form a unit which can be individually mounted and in the finished condition is compact and convenient to handle. The same applies to the auxiliary switch assembly 16.

On the underside of the box 13 is formed a transverse rib 42 which abuts against projections 43 of the housing on the individual switches and secures these in the housing 12. In the embodiment illustrated these projections are formed separately and connected to the switches, but they may be made in one piece with the switch housing.

The switch described is assembled as follows: the part of the transmission frame is inserted into the lower part 12 of the housing, which is preferably of U-shape. T hereupon the individual switches selected in accordance with the various requirements are fixed in the correct positions by the projections 9 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The pre-assembled box unit 13 containing the actuating magnet 14 with winding 15, also the pins 31 with the springs and pivoted swing 22 with armature 21 are so mounted on the lower part 12 that the transmission lever 24 and the transmission member 20 are coupled; thereupon the housing part 12 and the box-like part 13 are secured together, for which purpose locking means are provided on these parts. After the auxiliary switch unit 16, or if desired a simple lid, has been placed on and secured to the box 13 the relay is completed. The electrical connections to the magnet winding 15 may be made by means of terminal lugs, which in the assembly of the individual parts make contact with suitable terminals. The individual parts to be assembled are so related to one another by suitably shaped stops, inter-engaging guide grooves and the like, that the assembly of the units is limited to the steps of pushing them together until the stops come into contact with one another, and then the fixing of the locking means.

The individual switches are secured in the housing automatically by reason of the box part being placed on the switches after the insertion thereof in the lower part of the housing, the transverse rib 42 lying in front of the projections 43 of the individual switches so as to prevent withdrawal of the individual switches. Since the box part 13 is secured to the lower part of the housing, it follows that the individual switches are also secured in the relay housing.

It is apparent that the assembly of the individual parts into a finished relay does not require any particular skill or assembly tools. This is important since it is possible to meet the most varied requirements by customers without the factory being concerned with time consuming individual assemblies. On the contrary, the factory can confine itself to supplying the pre-assembled magnet devices made to a great extent from individual parts of thermoplastic material, viz. the units visible in FIGURE 9, the lower part 12 of the housing with insert 20, and auxiliary switch units (which may moreover be connected to the said box) and special individual switches. The retailer then assembles the relay in accordance with individual customers requirements, taking the necessary individual switches from his store. This assembly is effected quickly and easily.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electromagnetically operated switch assembly, lower housingmeans having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, upper housing means seated on said side walls of said lower housing means and connected therewith, electromagnetic means carried in its entirety by said upper housing means and including an armature, a lever turnably mounted on said upper housing means and carrying said armature so that said lever turns between a rest position when said electromagnetic means is unenergized and an operating position when said electromagnetic means is energized, frame means guided for movement by said lower housing means and operatively coupled with said lever to be displaced between a pair of end positions when said lever is respectively in its rest and operating positions, a plurality of stationary switch components carried by said lower housing means, and a plurality of movable switch components carried by said frame means for movement therewith and respectively engaging said stationary switch components in one of said end positions of said frame means for closing circuits connected with the switch components and said movable switch components being displaced from said stationary switch components when said frame means is in the other of its end positions to open the circuits.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein an' auxiliary switch unit is mounted on said upper housing means.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said auxiliary switch unit has switch-operating members situated in the path of movement of said lever from said rest to said operating position thereof so that said lever also actuates said auxiliary switch unit when said electromagnetic means is energized.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said frame means includes a substantially U-shaped member having a lower portion directed toward said bottom wall of said lower housing means and a pair of side portions slidably guided by said side walls of said lower housing means, and said frame means including a plurality of guide members carried by said lower portion of said frame means between said side portions thereof and guiding said movable switch components.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said lever has an elongated free end portion extending all the way between and coupled with said side portions of said frame member, said elongated free end portion of said lever extending over said guide members to act directly thereon during movement of said lever in a direction displacing said lower portion of said frame member toward said bottom wall of said lower housing means, and said lower portion of said frame member raising said guide members when said lever by its coupling with its frame member raises the latter away from said bottom wall.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said stationary switch components are carried by said bottom wall of said lower housing means, and said lever when displaced from said rest to said operating position thereof acts downwardly upon said guide members to displace the latter and said U-shaped member therewith.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said stationary switch components have a tongue-and-groove connection with said bottom wall preventing removal of said stationary components except when they are displaced in a given direction, and said upper housing means cooperating with portions of said stationary switch components to prevent movement thereof in a direction opposite to that permitted by said tongue-and-groove connections, so that as long as said upper housing means is on said lower housing means said stationary switch components cannot be removed.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said frame means includes a pair of end frame members formed with 5 6 cutouts and said lever extending between said end frame FOREIGN PATENTS members and having projecting portions respectively situated in said cutouts for coupling said lever to said frame 355499 8/1961 Swltzerland means- 5 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

References Cited by the Examiner B. DOBECK, R. N. ENVALL, 111., Assistant Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,308,433 1/1943 McLoughlin et a1. 200-104 2,969,444 1/ 1961 Deissler ZOO-87 3,198,910 8/1965 Burch et a1. 200-104 

1. IN AN ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED SWITCH ASSEMBLY, LOWER HOUSING MEANS HAVING A BOTTOM WALL AND A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BOTTOM WALL, UPPER HOUSING MEANS SEATED ON SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID LOWER HOUSING MEANS AND CONNECTED THERERWITH, ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS CARRIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY SAID UPPER HOUSING MEANS AND INCLUDING AN ARMATURE, A LEVER TURNABLY MOUNTED ON SAID UPPER HOUSING MEANS AND CARRYING SAID ARMATURE SO THAT SAID LEVER TURNS BETWEEN A REST POSITION WHEN SAID ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS IS UNENERGIZED AND AN OPERATING POSITION WHEN SAID ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS IS ENERGIZED, FRAME MEANS GUIDED FOR MOVEMENT BY SAID LOWER HOUSING MEANS AND OPERATIVELY COUPLED WITH SAID LEVER TO BE DISPLACED BETWEEN A PAIR OF END POSITIONS WHEN SAID LEVER IS RESPECTIVELY IN ITS REST AND OPERATING POSITIONS, A PLURALITY OF STATIONARY SWITCH COMPONENTS CARRIED BY SAID LOWER HOUSING MEANS, AND A PLURALITY OF MOVABLE SWITCH COMPONENTS CARRIED BY SAID FRAME MEANS FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH AND RESPECTIVELY ENGAGING SAID STATIONARY SWITCH COMPONETS IN ONE OF SAID END POSITIONS OF SAID FRAME MEANS FOR CLOSING CIRCUITS CONNECTED WITH THE SWITCH COMPONENTS AND SAID MOVABLE SWITCH COMPONENTS BEING DISPLACED FROM SAID STATIONARY SWITCH COMPONENTS WHEN SAID FRAME MEANS IS IN THE OTHER OF ITS END POSITIONS TO OPEN THE CIRCUITS. 